Reds to hijack Chelsea move for defender.Liverpool could be set to jump ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Brazilian left-back Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid with a £19m bid that would match his buy-out clause, CaughtOffside understands.
The 28-year-old has been one of the most impressive defenders in Europe over the last year or so, becoming a key player in Atletico’s surprise success in La Liga this season, as well as in their superb run to the Champions League final.
Chelsea have been strongly linked as his main suitors for much of this transfer window, but have recently been reported as having stalled in their progress to bring him to Stamford Bridge, as they are seemingly unwilling to pay the full demands of his buy-out clause.
There has been some suggestion that Luis himself would look to push the move through by offering to pay some chunk of the fee, but Liverpool now look set to try their luck with a late offer to sign him by offering to pay the full asking price.
The Reds have been in the market for a new left-back as well this summer, with loan signing Aly Cissokho failing to convince with his displays last season and youngster Jon Flanagan playing out of position on his weaker side for much of the latter half of the campaign.
Sevilla starlet Alberto Moreno has been linked with a move to Anfield, but a move for the Spaniard broke down after the two clubs failed to agree a fee, with Liverpool being told to pay more like £21m for the player.
Luis has now emerged as a cheaper option and a more realistic target after his proposed move to Chelsea has come under some doubt, and the player himself may now feel he would instead welcome a move to the Merseyside giants, who have shown more willingness to spend the required amount to sign him this summer.
The Brazil international, who was unlucky to miss out on a place in his country’s World Cup squad for this summer, is one of several Atletico players being linked with an exit from the club this summer, despite their great success in 2013/14.
Star striker Diego Costa has already joined Chelsea, while Turkish winger Arda Turan has also been linked with a move to Liverpool in the recent past.
Read more Liverpool transfer rumours.